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Federal Updates

Updates April 6, 2020

Updated resource page for all Federal programs and supports - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Today, the Canadian Government provided clarity on eligibility and the application process for the CERB program which can be found here.  Highlights included that Canadians will be able to begin applying for the CERB on April 6, 2020 and, if approved, should receive their first payment within 10 days. The CERB will provide approved applicants with $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

The benefit will be available to workers:

  • Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;
  • Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits:
  • Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and
  • Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment income.

The Benefit is only available to individuals who stopped work as a result of reasons related to COVID-19. If you are looking for a job but haven’t stopped working because of COVID-19, you are not eligible for the Benefit.

Applications for The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are now being accepted via the Canada Revenue Agency’s My CRA Account portal here or via telephone at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.

Please note, to manage the high volume of applications, your month of birth determines which day you can apply on:

If you were born the month of: Apply for CERB on: Your best day to apply is:
January, February or March Mondays April 6
April, May or June Tuesdays April 7
July, August or September Wednesdays April 8
October, November of December Thursdays April 9
Any month Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays  

 

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The CEWS would enable employers to re-hire workers previously laid off, and to keep those who are already on payroll. Details of today’s announcement can be found here. Please note, the CEWS is currently only being proposed by the Canadian Government, it will need to be passed by Parliament before being launched. Details on the proposed subsidy announced today included:

  • That it would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
  • Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
  • Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
  • For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
  • An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.

Eligible employers would be able to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy by applying through a Canada Revenue Agency online portal. If passed by Parliament, further details will be made available.

TFWP

Letter to Health Minister, Patty Hadju to Employers - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/minister-letter-foreign-workers.html

New TFW FAQs - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-faq.html

Economic Response Package from Canadian Government for COVID-19

March 18, 2020 – The Government of Canada has announced details on the $82 billion aid package for Canadians and Businesses. This includes the information below that details how and when assistance will be arriving. We encourage all employers to share the resources below with employees. Each company will have to best decide how to achieve a contingency plan with help from these aid programs. Combined support for both employers and employees offers the best option to maintain health concerns with being able to have a business to return to.

There is a potential as the pandemic progresses that all non-essential businesses will be forced to close.  Please ensure you are taking that possibility in to consideration when planning for the next weeks and months.

 

March 27, 2020

Support for people who are sick, quarantined, or in directed self-isolation

The new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:

  • workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
  • workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
  • working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
  • workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
  • wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit will be accessible through a secure web portal starting in early April. Applicants will also be able to apply via an automated telephone line or via a toll-free number.

 

Support for Businesses

Support for Individuals

The full details on the Government of Canada Economic Response Package can be found at the link below.  Please visit there directly for more details.  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html

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